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How to use natural landmarks to maintain direction
Contributed by: Roe
  • 1. Which natural landmark is MOST consistently reliable for navigation, especially at night?
A) A specific mountain peak
B) The North Star (Polaris)
C) Prevailing wind direction
D) Local vegetation growth patterns
  • 2. If moss is generally thicker on one side of a tree, which direction does that side typically face in the Northern Hemisphere?
A) East
B) South
C) North
D) West
  • 3. What is the term for a long, narrow ridge of sediment deposited by a glacier?
A) Moraine
B) Kettle hole
C) Drumlin
D) Esker
  • 4. How can the sun be used to determine direction without a compass?
A) By looking directly at the sun
B) Observe its position relative to the horizon at sunrise and sunset
C) By measuring the intensity of its rays
D) By only observing the sun at noon
  • 5. In which direction do most rivers generally flow?
A) Randomly, with no predictable pattern
B) Downhill, towards lower elevation
C) Directly towards magnetic north
D) Uphill, towards higher elevation
  • 6. What is the BEST way to confirm your direction using multiple landmarks?
A) Triangulation
B) Dead reckoning
C) Following animal trails
D) Relying on a single prominent landmark
  • 7. If you are navigating in a desert, what is a crucial landmark to look for to maintain direction?
A) Mirages
B) The presence of cacti
C) The color of the sand
D) Sand dune orientation in relation to the prevailing wind
  • 8. What does the term 'back azimuth' refer to?
A) The opposite direction (180 degrees) from your current bearing
B) The angle of elevation of a landmark
C) The measurement of the distance to a landmark
D) The speed at which you are traveling
  • 9. What is the most important consideration when using animal trails for navigation?
A) They may not lead in the direction you intend to travel
B) They are always well-maintained
C) They are always reliable paths
D) They are always straight and easy to follow
  • 10. How can you use a stick and the sun to find approximate north and south?
A) By using the stick's height to estimate distance
B) By observing the movement of the stick's shadow over time
C) By using the stick as a pointer towards the nearest water source
D) By burying the stick to attract insects
  • 11. What is a 'col' in mountain terminology?
A) A deep valley carved by a glacier
B) A field of snow on a mountain slope
C) A saddle-shaped depression between two peaks
D) A sharp, pointed mountain summit
  • 12. What is the danger of relying solely on landmarks seen on a map without ground truthing?
A) Landmarks may have changed or disappeared over time
B) Maps are always perfectly accurate
C) Landmarks are always in the exact same place they were on the map
D) Landmarks are always easy to identify
  • 13. Which of these is generally the LEAST reliable landmark for navigation?
A) Waterfalls
B) Distinctive tree shapes
C) Prominent rock formations
D) Temporary snow patches
  • 14. In the Southern Hemisphere, which direction does the thicker moss typically face on a tree?
A) North
B) West
C) South
D) East
  • 15. How can prevailing winds affect tree growth, and how can this be used for navigation?
A) Trees only grow on the leeward side of hills
B) Trees may be bent or stunted on the windward side
C) Trees always grow perfectly straight
D) Prevailing winds have no impact on tree growth
  • 16. What is the approximate angle change of the sun per hour?
A) 5 degrees
B) 15 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 30 degrees
  • 17. What is the main hazard of following a river downstream?
A) It may lead to impassable terrain like waterfalls or canyons
B) Rivers always have gentle slopes
C) It always leads to a source of civilization
D) Rivers are always easy to cross
  • 18. Which natural phenomenon can be used to navigate using the stars in the Southern Hemisphere?
A) The Big Dipper constellation
B) The North Star (Polaris)
C) The Southern Cross constellation
D) The Milky Way
  • 19. What does 'ground truthing' mean in the context of navigation?
A) Relying solely on landmarks on the ground
B) Verifying information on a map with what you observe on the ground
C) Burying your map for safekeeping
D) Ignoring your map and navigating by instinct
  • 20. When using a shadow stick, when is the shadow shortest?
A) Sunrise
B) Sunset
C) Solar noon
D) Midnight
  • 21. Which type of natural landmark is MOST resistant to change over long periods?
A) Major mountain ranges
B) Areas of dense vegetation
C) Sand dunes
D) Small streams
  • 22. What is a common characteristic of East facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere?
A) They receive less snow
B) They receive sunlight earlier in the day
C) They are typically colder
D) They are drier
  • 23. Why is it important to factor in declination when using a compass with a map?
A) To calculate your speed
B) To determine the elevation of landmarks
C) To predict the weather
D) To account for the difference between magnetic north and true north
  • 24. Which of these is NOT a reliable indicator of direction in the wilderness?
A) The color of wildflowers
B) The location of the North Star
C) The direction of prevailing winds
D) The flow of rivers
  • 25. What is one way to find direction using an analog watch and the sun?
A) Point the hour hand at the sun, and half the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock points south (in the northern hemisphere)
B) Point the 12 o'clock mark at the sun, and the hour hand points north.
C) The date on the watch shows the degrees to magnetic north.
D) The second hand always points north.
  • 26. What does it mean for a landmark to be 'intervisible'?
A) A landmark is made of glass.
B) Two landmarks can be seen from each other.
C) A landmark can only be seen at night.
D) A landmark is very small.
  • 27. Why should you take multiple bearings to different landmarks?
A) To confuse potential followers.
B) To increase accuracy and provide redundancy in case one landmark is obscured.
C) Taking multiple bearings does not improve accuracy.
D) To make the map more colorful.
  • 28. Which factor is MOST important when selecting a landmark?
A) Its name.
B) Its proximity to water.
C) Its permanence and ease of identification.
D) Its color.
  • 29. Why is it dangerous to only use landmarks directly behind you when navigating?
A) It's the safest way to navigate.
B) Landmarks behind you will always remain visible.
C) You could unknowingly walk in a circle.
D) It's impossible to navigate using landmarks behind you.
  • 30. When using the sun and a watch, how does the procedure change in the Southern Hemisphere?
A) The procedure is exactly the same.
B) The watch must be digital.
C) Half the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock points NORTH.
D) It's impossible to use a watch to navigate in the southern hemisphere.
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